Gore ‘just getting my body back’

Running back Frank Gore said he “feels good” even though he hasn’t participated in on-field workouts at the 49ers’ mini-camp, which concludes Thursday.

“I’m just listening to Ferg,” Gore said, referring to the team’s head trainer Jeff Ferguson. “He told me he didn’t want me doing anything right now and I’m listening to him.”

Asked if he’ll be ready to go when training camp begins, he said, “If Ferg says I can go out there, I’ll do it. I feel good. I’m good. I’m just getting my body back. I just want to be fresh.”

Gore is always fueled by perceived slights, such as where he was drafted and injuries he’s had to overcome. After turning 30 in May, he’s got one more knock to deal with.

“I laugh,” he said of the talk of his age. “I feel like every year it’s something with me. I’ve got to overcome everything every year.

“I’m just going to keep working and training hard and whenever Ferg lets me get on the field, I’ll just go hard and prove everybody wrong again.”

(Note: Gore had his No. 21 jersey and appeared to have taken part in the morning walk-through practice Thursday. He’s often spent the afternoon sessions the past month by doing cardio work in the weight-room facility.”
Here is the complete transcript of Gore’s media session:

What’s offseason been like after getting so close to winning Super Bowl? “It was tough at the beginning, but once I got back working out, I kind of got better with it. I’m happy to be back. I see all the guys working. We’re trying to get back where we left off last year.”

What’s kept you off the field? “I’m just listening to (athletic trainer Jeff Ferguson). He told me he didn’t want me doing anything right now and I’m listening to him.”

Do you have an injury? Are you healthy? “I’ll be good. If Ferg says I can go out there, I’ll do it. I feel good. I’m good. I’m just getting my body back. I just want to be fresh whenever I got back to the field.”
You got kind of beat up last year? “I did?”

You didn’t show it but we could tell. “Oh yeah?”

What changes have you seen in Kaepernick? “He always works hard. He’s throwing the ball great. Everybody knows he can run the ball. Just seeing him throwing the ball and recognizing defenses better and putting us in good situations.”

Do you see him being more vocal? “Yeah. He should be. He did a lot when he got his opportunity. He took advantage of it. Had a great run. He’s looking to do even more stuff this year.”

What kind of relationship have you had with Marcus Lattimore? “He’s a good kid. I’m behind him because I went through the same thing. Being one of the best backs at the school, getting drafted late in the rounds, don’t know if you can get back. I’m pulling for him. He’s a great kid. Quiet. Do whatever Ferg and the coaches tell him to do. I’ll think he’ll be fine.”

Do you hear people talk about the age of 30 for a running back? “I laugh. I feel like every year it’s something with me. I’ve got to overcome everything every year. Coming off the hip injury, would I be able to be the same? I’m turning 29, would I be able to be Frank Gore. Now 30. I’m just going to keep working and training hard and whenever Ferg lets me get on the field, just go hard and prove everybody wrong again.”

Does where you were drafted fuel you? “I love it. Even in the top 100, they said ‘Oh he’s turning 30, he might not have anything more left.’ I like that type of stuff.”

How quickly can you name the RBs drafting in front of you? “Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson, Cadillac, JJ Arrington and Eric Shelton. … That’s one thing I told Marcus (Lattimore), when you get you’re opportunity, you always compete with the guys in front of you. That was one of my goals. I was the sixth back pick. He was the sixth back picked. I told him, whenever I’m done, remember that.”

What do you think about where you landed on the NFL top 100 (No. 32)? “It’s cool. I don’t care. I’m happy my peers recognized me and see what I do. Just to be on the list is good.”

Do you see similarities between you and Lattimore? “Yeah. When I came in, I was quiet, just do what the coaches say. He’s about the same. I like him. I’m pulling for him.”

Impressions of Anquan Boldin? “Happy to have him. Football player. When I look around the league at his position, I think to myself, he don’t get the recognition as much as the other guys, but do it every year.”